It is a good building, especially inside, but it is outclassed in this context. There is a particularly unfortunate view across the busy Fellows’ Square, with Koralek buildings on south and east, and the Old Library with the Book of Kells to the north. Here, the Ussher Library interposes an awkward corner into the picture, a back end that is just there, seems slightly surprised to be there, and does nothing to acknowledge the circumstance.

Inside, there is a nice timber-clad atrium with bridges connecting the ends - an atrium made dramatically tall by the fact that the building descends into basement levels. As a library to work in, it is one of the more pleasant I have seen. It is much needed at Trinity, where the recent expansion of the student population has not been matched until now by the facilities. Moreover it will solve the problem of the queues of tourists by segregating them from the students and staff.